shoring up eighteen

I ran an 18-miler up the Arroyo Seco today And brought food. I brought two little flat fruit roll type things. Each had 50 calories. I was a little worried that they would be hard on the stomach as I ran but they turned out to be great. They’re flat and pretty easy to store in a pocket. The shorts I wore today only had that little key pocket found in running shorts but still I was able to fit two fruit snacks and a chap-stick in there just fine (“is that a fruit roll in your pocket or…”) I ate one every 6 miles. Next time I’ll bring more so I can eat every 3 miles. I think that will help even more.

I also carried a 24ish-ounce Gator-drink which I refilled with water when I turned around at the halfway point. It was a cool, cloudy day, about 60 degrees, so that was just the right amount of fluid. Post run snack was cherry tomatoes followed by a bowl of cereal.

It’s encouraging to be feeling stronger over the last few miles of these long runs and recovering more quickly. I think this is my sixth 18er in about the last seven months. Each time they get a little easier. My plan is to get eighteen wired before attempting anything longer. I hope to be able to someday report on an “easy 18.” That would be awesome.

Four weeks until the Mt Wilson run so probably won’t go long again until after that. Instead I should focus on hills and speed and mountain-goat-agility.

forecast for only 80 degrees today

It’s been like 100 degrees the last couple days. Still, I saw a good number of bikers out there along one of my new routes into Los Felis which takes me through trendy town where the bikers can’t ride without a messenger bag. This is fine, though, whatever they need to get out on the bike is fine by me.

We (me and the other bikers) had a nice little convoy going as we kept pace with the horseless carriages along York and Eagle Rock Blvd. Riders are stripping down in the heat and showing off their winter-made muscles. The rider in front of me had a very nice dragonfly tattoo on her calf encouraging me to keep up.

As we peeled off in our various directions I headed up the bike path along the beautiful LA River. Yes, there is a river in LA. It once was beautiful before it was tortured and channelized and forgotten by most. It could be beautiful again thanks to many people who are working to make that happen.

I’m glad that it will be a little cooler today. I’m not quite ready for August yet.

Happy Earth Day!

run to be a runner

Went out for a 9er run up the Arroyo Seco today. “Just nine,” I’ve been thinking lately, or “an easy nine.” These are hard won thoughts.

Although I only went nine miles I tried to make it about as difficult for myself as I could.

I started out by drinking a lot and staying up real late last night. Which usually means poor quality and short sleep for me. The hangover started to ease back at around noon at which time the day was already creeping up to 85 degrees.

So there I was, feeling like crap and exhausted, in the hottest part of the day on the hottest day of the year so far and I decide to go out for just an easy nine. Don’t left your life or your environment get in the way of your running schedule.

I’m convinced that’s the way to be a runner. Run when it’s hot. Run when it’s cold… when you’re tired… when you’re happy, mad, bored, sick, drunk, dehydrated… when it’s raining, etc… Then eventually you’ll become a runner… or die trying.

With about a half mile left in my run I got something in my eye that I couldn’t get out. I wouldn’t let myself stop to address it. Run with one eye closed when there’s something in your eye.

I got home and rinsed my eye with water cupped in my hands over the sink. I started drinking the cold water from my hands and washing my face of run-grime. There was something primal about drinking that cool water from my hands. It was the most refreshing and quenching drink in the world.

Hills with Hil

Hilary and I ran her 3-mile residential Monterey Hills Route to start off the weekend. She takes this route a lot – I don’t. Somehow hill running doesn’t appeal to me much unless it’s in a natural area. But, since I’m trying to get ready for the Mt Wilson run in May I figure I should do some more hills with Hil.

Hil’s thinking about the Mt Wilson run, too, so we also went up and did a practice run of the course on Saturday. We just ran the trail section of the course, about 7 miles (skipping the 1.6 miles of road). There were several other people up there running the trail – probably getting ready for the race, too, including last year’s winner. It’s a pretty steep trail for about the fist half and then it levels off a little with some ups and downs before dropping into the Orchard Camp turnaround. The lower hills are still pretty scarred from last year’s fires but a lot of wildflowers are coming back. Up near Orchard Camp it feels lush, shady, dark, rainforest-like by comparison.

I’ve got a lot of work to do if I’m going to challenge my time from last year. I want to be able to maintain my 4-strides-per-breath pace all the way up the mountain. Right now, I’m not even close – I’m still calibrated to the slow crawl, get-to-the-finish-line pace. My speedy descending skills are out the window right now, too. I ran the trail in road shoes, which didn’t help, either - had a couple scary ankle moments coming down the trail. Still six weeks off, though, so we’ll see.

Hungry Man Dinner

I thought I was out of food again. There was nothing obvious in the cupboards or fridge. I was going to walk to the grocery store but then it started raining. And, anyway, isn’t there a saying about hunger being the mother of invention? So, I found a little of this, a little of that, some flower, some ancient instant hot cocoa mix… put it all in a bowl, don’t bother measuring anything, add a little water and all of a sudden chocolate pancakes magically appear. Spread some peanut butter between the layers and you’ve got chocolate peanut butter sandwiches. Yum! What does this have to do with bikes or running or the arroyo seco that leads up to the brown mountain or the mystical experience that can be found there… who cares, none of these other posts ever go there, either, and besides, nobody even reads this, and besides – chocolate pancakes! I can’t wait to eat the rest for breakfast with black black black black coffee...

On Brown

Rode Brown on Sunday. Sunny, 82+ degrees, dry. It was my first ride up there in about 6 weeks (missed all of March for no good reason), so it punished me a little bit for the layoff. Right IT band took a beating as I limped to the top without much torque available. Really great ride, though, anyway, because I love it up there. And good to get back on “Metamorphosis.” Can’t wait to ride again. Can’t wait to run again. Can’t wait to eat again (I’ve been constantly hungry lately.) Can’t wait to drink more coffee.

put a lid on it

Several times in the last couple of weeks I’ve started riding off without my helmet. I’m not sure what is causing this sudden lack of attention. For the past few years the helmet has been an automatic part of my cycling routine - I’ve always worn my helmet even though I think it’s rather pointless. So far I’ve only gotten as far as the end of the driveway before turning around and retrieving the lid, but I see where this is headed (no pun intended) and I know that eventually I’m going to forget it completely. I’ll go about my business and return to my bike and be like all, “Dude, someone swiped my helmet! What a bummer, man. I guess I’ll have to ride home without it.” Then I’ll get home and be like all, “Oh, there it is! What’s wrong with me? I’m such a space cadet.”

2 short

Most of my aches and pains from last weekend have subsided. I iced my knee a couple times and that seemed to help the IT band. I went out for a slow 3 mile run on Monday and that was painful (felt every step in my quads) but important – getting back on the horse and getting a good deep stretch in afterwards.

Last night’s run was a fast 3er – about my 5th best time for that route. So I guess I’m recovered and ready for what’s next.